September 1999 Central Mass Bird Sightings

Sightings are listed in reverse chronological order. The email address of birders submitting reports, as well as other Central Massachusetts birding info can be found via the Central Mass Bird Update homepage.

9/28/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning : NORTHERN HARRIER (1 - My first record at BMB); SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (1 - immature); Red-bellied Woodepecker (2); Carolina Wren (1); SWAINSON'S THRUSH (1); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (1); PALM WARBLER (1); Common Yellowthroat (5); LINCOLN SPARROW (1); SWAMP SPARROW (9); WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (14); (report from John Liller).

9/26/99 -- Wachusetts Reservoir, West Boylston/Sterling

From gates along Route 140 in West Boylston from 10:30-1:30pm, there were 2 Yellowlegs sp., 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper, 4 Pectoral Sandpipers, 1 Common Loon, and 1 Osprey. Along Route 110 in Sterling from 3:00-3:30pm there were 1 Osprey and 1 Northern Harrier. Butterflies seen included American Copper, Pearl Crescent, Variegated Fritillary, Eastern Tail Blue, and one very late appearing Silver Spotted Skipper. (report from Barbara and Rick Walker).

9/26/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights from John Liller's bird class: SHARP-SHINNED HAWK (1); AMERICAN KESTREL (1); SPOTTED SANDPIPER (1); Red-bellied Woodepecker (1); BLUE-HEADED VIREO (1); Red-eyed Vireo (1); RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (1); Carolina Wren (1); EASTERN BLUEBIRD (7); YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (10); BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER (1); BLACKPOLL WARBLER (3); AMERICAN REDSTART (1); SWAMP SPARROW (5); WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (37); PURPLE FINCH (1); (report from John Liller).

9/26/99 -- Worcester Pond Survey

In spite of feeling lousy from the flu, the following water and landbirds were counted at city pond/lake sites: Pied-Billed Grebe (9); Double-Crested Cormorant (11); Great Blue Heron (24: one of the higher counts for the city); Green Heron (1: getting very scarce inland now); Black-Crowned Night Heron (2ad+1imm: ditto); Mute Swan (2adults were all that were seen, others probably present in some marshy waterway of L. Quinsigamond); Canada Goose (184 on the water plus another 153 migrating overhead); Wood Duck (58); Green-Winged Teal (22); A. Black Duck (37); Mallard (720); Blue-Winged Teal (5); A. Wigeon (14: all at Leesville Pond); Osprey (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (3); Killdeer (4); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Ring-Billed Gull (62); Herring Gull (4:starting to return to the city for fall and winter); Belted Kingfisher (5); Downy Woopecker (5); N. Flicker (3); E. Phoebe (20: good movement today); Great Crested Flycatcher (1 heard: very late); Blue Jay (95: on the move); Black-Capped Chickadee (64); Tufted Titmouse (23); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (3); White-Breasted Nuthatch (14); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (1); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (2); Hermit Thrush (1); A. Robin (4); Gray Catbird (39: good movement at Notre Dame Cemetary); N. Mockingbird (10); Blue-Headed Vireo (1); Red-Eyed Vireo (1); Nashville Warbler (1); N. Parula (2); Palm Warbler (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (117); Black and White Warbler (2); Blackpoll Warbler (57); Connecticut Warbler (1); C. Yellowthroat (3); Chipping Sparrow (19); Field Sparrow (1); Savannah Sparrow (12: all at Biotech Pond); Song Sparrow (33); Lincoln Sparrow (4; all at Notre Dame); White-Throated Sparrow (46) (report from Mark Lynch).

9/26/99 -- Wompanoag MAS, Gardner

Hawk Watching on Sunday morning between 8Am and 10Am yielded the following: A noteable movement of Blue Jays stole the show. Between 8-10am I counted 1217 moving in groups from 5 up to over 100. I typically see Black Scoters in Gardner at least once a year , but today was the first time I see them pass over head. Totals: Osprey 7; Sharp Shinned 18; Coopers hawk 1; Broad Wing 27; Am. Kestrel 1; Turkey Vulture 2; UN ID'd 1; Total Hawks 57. The following also passed the site: Common Loon 5; D.C. Cormorant 2; Canada Goose 358 migrating up high; Black Scoter 10 passed closely overhead; Blue Jay 1217; Raven 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/25/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Garnder

Hilites from a walk into the Smith Street entrance: Swainson's Thrush 1; Hermit Thrush 1; Ruby-Crowned Kinglet 1; Blackpoll Warbler 2; Nashville Warbler 1; Lincoln's Sparrow 7; Savanaha Sparrow 25+; Swamp Sparrow 20+; D.E. Junco 3 seem a bit early this year? Although there is limited local breeding .. but not at this spot. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/25/99 -- Worcester Airport

From Goddard Memorial Park the following were seen: Turkey Vulture (3); Osprey (1); Bald Eagle (1imm); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (8+); Broad-Winged Hawk (6); Red-Tailed Hawk (6+): GOLDEN EAGLE (1ad), Merlin (1); A. Kestrel (3). A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was also seen by all in the small weedy patch in front of the viewing area. Hawkwatchers at this spot are remined to check these weeds carefully because good numbers of migrant sparrows and warblers can sometimes be found lurking therein. At the airport proper, an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER flew over and seemed to land some distance out. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/24/99 -- Park Avenue, city of Worcester

While I was coming out of the Cumberland Farms on the corner of Park and Grove Street at 7:00 AM today, an adult Black-Crowned Night Heron flew overhead looking like it was heading to Indian Lake. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/23/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

A quick hawkwatching trip to Broad Meadow Brook yielded: BROAD-WINGED HAWK (1); RED-TAILED HAWK (1 - probably one of the local birds); AMERICAN KESTREL (1). (report from John Liller).

9/20/99 -- Gate 27, Wachusett Reservoir

On Monday morning from 11:00 AM till about 12:30 PM I birded Gate 27 at Wachusett Reservoir. The 1st small pond provided most of the action: A Merlin and an Imm. Coopers dive bombing each other for about 5 minutes. It was like an F-16 vs a Piper Cub, the Merlin seemed to just playing. Neither got hurt and eventually they proceeded South. There were also 4 Turkey Vultures, an Osprey and a Red Tailed. All but the Red Tail were heading South. Lots of Monarchs everywhere. (report from Peter Morlock).

9/19/99 -- Barre Falls Dam/Rutland SP

A trip along some of the roads of Barre Falls Dam/Rutland SP this morning had a nice assortment of birds. We tried to hawkwatch from the traditional location, joined by Lisa and Simon Hennin, but the clear blue sky was mostly a lesson in frustration. Warblers were defintely in very descreet waves, with long stretches of very few birds in between. Highlights: Turkey Vulture (1); Osprey (2); Bald Eagle (1ad+1 sub-ad); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (9); Broad-Winged Hawk (72); A. Kestrel (1); Ruffed Grouse (1); E. Wood Peewee (1 still calling); Least Flycatcher (1); E. Phoebe (53: big movement); Blue Jay (162: good movement: we had flocks as large as 30 birds); C. Raven (1); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (20); White-Breasted Nuthatch (29); Brown Creeper (11); House Wren (5); Golden-Crowned Kinglet (4); Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (3); Veery (1); Hermit Thrush (17); Yellow-Throated Vireo (1 still singing); Blue-Headed Vireo (22: a number of which were still singing); Philadelphia Vireo (2); Red-Eyed Vireo (14); Warbling Vireo (1: at one point we had 4 species of vireo in the binos at once); WARBLERS: Nashville (1); N. Parula (11); Black-Throated Green (16); Blackburnian (1); Black-Throated Blue (2); Yellow-Rumped (110); Pine (84); Palm (4); Black and White (1); Bay-Breasted (1); Blackpoll (39); A. Redstart (3); Ovenbird (2); Connecticut Warbler (2 imm); C. Yellowthroat (35); Scarlet Tanager (2); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (3); Indigo Bunting (1); E. Towhee (22); Field Sparrow (3); Chipping Sparrow (24); Song Sparrow (6); Swamp Sparrow (11); Lincoln's (2); White-Throated (96); Purple Finch (5). After it warmed up a bit (several hours) the butterflies put on a decent late September show: Cabbage White (26); Clouded Sulphur (75); Orange Sulphur (59); Pearl Crescent (13); E. Tailed Blue (1); Mourning Cloak (5); Great Spangled Fritillary (1); Am. Lady (1); Leonard's Skipper (2); plus a great flight of Buck Moths. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/19/99 -- Gardner

From 8:30 to 10:10AM , not far south west from the Wampanoag hawk site: Osprey 4; N. Harrier 3; Bald Eagle 1 imm.; Sharp Shinned 4; Broad Wing 11; Am. Kestrel 2; Peregrine Falcon 1 Adult 9:30 AM; Total 26 Again not big #'s of Broad Wings but that Peregrine came past low , perhaps a hundred feet away in perfect light . (report from Tom Pirro).

9/18/99 -- Gardner Hawks

At the Wampanoag site from 7:30Am to 10Am and then 2:00pm to 4:30Pm : Osprey 4; Bald Eagle 4 2imm. at 8:30AM 1 sub adult 3:30Pm and 1 Adult 4PM; N. Harrier 1; Sharp Shinned 9; Broad Wing 92; Am. Kestrel 4; Un Id'd 3; Total 117. Great look at an adult Northern Goshawk which was not a migrant About 200 Canada Goose on the move high up in the morning.. Most of the Broad wings were before 9:30Am , I had only 9 in the afternoon session. The Sub-adult BE came through very low a few hundred Yards out which made for a great look , the head appeared a bit yellowish (i.e. dirty looking) and the tip of the tail had a small incomplete black band. Monarchs were streaming through during both sessions and I had a beautiful Male Evening Grosbeak perched when I arrived and a Rusty Black bird flew by at close range. The E. Grosbeak , actually 2 , were feeding in an Ash tree , Ash trees up this way are "heavy" with seed this year. This is a favorite food item for Pine Grosbeak ... so lets hope the Pine's show up this winter. (report from Tom Pirro).

9/18/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights from John Liller's class Saturday morning : COOPER'S HAWK (1 - seen briefly by us, and then seen much better later on by Howard Shainheit) Red-tailed Hawk (2 - 1 immature and 1 adult) Red-bellied Woodepecker (1) GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER (1) Red-eyed Vireo (1) Carolina Wren (1) House Wren (2) NASHVILLE WARBLER (1) NORTHERN PARULA (2) BLACKPOLL WARBLER (6) Common Yellowthroat (4) SCARLET TANAGER (1) CHIPPING SPARROW (1) WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (2) Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2) (report from John Liller).

9/18/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

A very moderate number of birds were seen at the north end of Broad Meadow Brook (Dunkirk St entrance) early this AM. Highlights: Red-Tailed Hawk (1 imm); A. Kestrel (1); Belted Kingfisher (1 overhead); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (2); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (1); Carolina Wren (2); House Wren (6); Eastern Bluebird (group of 9); A. Pipit (1 overhead); Blue-Headed Vireo (1); Red-Eyed Vireo (2); WARBLERS: Tennessee (1); Nashville (2); N. Parula (1); Yellow (2); Yellow-Rumped (4); Black-Throated Green (1); Black and White (2); Blackpoll (23: many leaving, heading SE); A. Redstart (2); C. Yellowthroat (3); Scarlet Tanager (1); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (4); Purple Finch (3); (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/18/99 -- Goddard Memorial Park, Worcester

We spent two hours hawkwatching at Goddard Memorial Park, Airport Hill in the city of Worecster:

9:00-10:00 AM: terribly windy and an un-helpful clear blue sky: Double-Crested Cormorant (flock of 22 migrating); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (40: migrating?); Turkey Vulture (11 counted at one time); Osprey (1); BALD EAGLE (1imm); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (5); Broad-Winged Hawk (33); Red-Tailed Hawk (6:mainly residents); A. Kestrel (1); Black-Throated Green Warbler (1); Bay-Breasted Warbler (1); Blackpoll Warbler (12). Note: The warblers were ID'd in flight as they "topped" the hill, struggling against the wind, heading west at about 10 feet or lower.

Lisa and Simon Hennin counted hawks from Goddard Memorial Park, from 10:30 till 11:30 and had the following: Tukey Vulture (3); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (3); "accipiter sp." (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (2);Broad-Winged Hawk (69).

2:30-3:30 PM: much less windy, but still the annoying clear blue. Canada Goose (42); Turkey Vulture (2); Osprey (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (6); Broad-Winged Hawk (30); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); A. Kestrel (1); Merlin (1); PALM WARBLER (feeding in the weeds behind us); also: Large movement of Monarchs in that hour: (230+), also: Spice-Bush Swallowtail. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/17/99 -- Wachuset Reservoir

An early morning search of Wachuset Reservoir today had the following: Common Loon (3); Double-Crested Cormorant (54); Great Blue Heron (2); Canada Goose (32); Green-Winged Teal (72: several flocks flew in while we were there and some left heading south); Mallard (7); A. Black Duck (1); Blue-Winged Teal (2); COMMON GOLDNEYE (1); Osprey (3); Red-Tailed Hawk (1); Merlin (2: which landed on the sandbars and just sat there for awhile); BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (1); AM. GOLDEN PLOVER (3); Killdeer (3); Greater Yellowlegs (1); Pectoral Sandpiper (6); LAUGHING GULL (1 juv: at NE corner near the dam); COMMON TERN (4; small flock flew in and back and forth over the sandbars. Some put down for a bit, then left); FORSTER'S TERN (1 basic: with the Commons); Belted Kingfisher (1).

Note: Simon Perkins called at about 1:00 PM. He still had the Laughing Gull, did not have any terns, and had (2) each of Black-Bellied and Golden Plovers. My experience at Wachuset after storms is that birds put in briefly throughout the day, so birders are encouraged to check until dusk. We were there at about 7:00 AM.

Also reported at 2:00 pm by Fran McMenemy was a CASPIAN TERN. Fran had birded the northeast end of Wachuset Reservoir at 8:00 AM+, arriving shortly after we did, but before Simon Perkins et al. The CASPIAN TERN was on the sandbars north of Cemetary Island (best viewed from the Rt. 110 shore. Enter from the end of the short dead-end road next to the Clinton Motor Inn (or whatever the small motel is called), park car at gate, walk stright up to the embankment). Interestingly, he didn't have the Common and Forster's Terns , though I saw them apparently leave, and I obviously didn't have the Caspian. Later, hiking out to Davenport Point (see below) Fran had (2) BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, SANDERLINGS, Semipalmated Plovers and yellowlegs. Close views of the Buff-Breasteds. This gate into Wachuset is also on Rt. 110 (West Boylston) opposite Shanghai Jack's. It's about a 45 minute walk to the shore and point where there are good flats. (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/17/99 -- City of Worcester

After having some success at Wachuset Reservoir with storm driven species (see above), we tried some locations in Worcester: INDIAN LAKE: Double-Crested Cormorant (2); Great Blue Heron (1); Canada Goose (65); Mallard (82); Merlin (1); Belted Kingfisher (1); C. Grackle (1000+). GREENHILL PARK: Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1ad). COES POND: Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1 after flock of starlings). CURTIS POND: Pied-Billed Grebe (3); Double-Crested Cormorant (4); Canada Goose (45). LEESVILLE POND: Pied-Billed Grebe (1); Double-Crested Cormorant (1); Great Blue Heron (2); Black-Crowned Night Heron (1ad); Canada Goose (36); Wood Duck (1); American Wigeon (3); Green-Winged Teal (9); Mallard (63); Blue-Winged Teal (1); Solitary Sandpiper (1). NOTRE DAME CEMETARY: Pied-Billed Grebe (2); Canada Goose (3); Wood Duck (35); Green-Winged Teal (4); Mallard (85); A. Black Duck (4); Osprey (1). A trip to Airport Hill was notable for the intense winds only. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/15/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook MAS, Worcester

An early AM hike around the north end of Broad Meadow Brook sanctuary (Dunkirk St entrance) in the city of Worcester revealed a moderate movement of migrants. However, the warblers were defintely in waves, or more like pockets, and atypically some were moving north while others just seemed to disperse and melt into the forest. By 8:30 AM, the warblers were GONE, though species like grosbeaks, catbirds and robins were very much present. There were many more warblers present than could be coaxed out and seen and ID'd. Highlights include: Merlin (1); "Hummingbird sp" (a bird seen zooming by was assumed to be a Ruby-Throated); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (2); RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (1: the reason this is boldfaced is that the sanctuary has VERY few conifers, and when Red-Breasted Nuthatches appear at all, it is usually in flight years); House Wren (6); A. Robin (120+:huge feeding groups with lots of imm.); Gray Catbird (53); Brown Thrasher (1); Cedar Waxwing (11; often seen in the large robin flocks); Red-Eyed Vireo (4); PHILADELPHIA VIREO (1). WARBLERS: Nashville (1); N. Parula (5); Yellow (6); Chestnut-Sided (1); Magnolia (1); Black-Throated Blue (1); PINE WARBLER (1); Bay-Breasted (1); Blackpoll (17); Black and White (1); A. Redstart (3); Northern Waterthrush (1); CONNECTICUT WARBLER (2imm); C. Yellowthroat (11). Other birds: Scarlet Tanager (3); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (9); Indigo Bunting (1); White-Throated Sparrow (5); Purple Finch (2). (report from Mark Lynch/Sheila Carroll).

9/15/99 -- Leesville Pond, city of Worcester

The following were noted: Pied-Billed Grebe (2); Double-Crested Cormorant (5); Canada Goose (10); Wood Duck (51); Green-Winged Teal (16); Am. Wigeon (1); Mallard (403); Am. Black Duck (9); Blue-Winged Teal (2); Great Blue Heron (1); Black-Crowned Night Heron (3ad); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (1); Cedar Waxwing (10); Blackpoll Warbler (4). A check of Hope Cemetary revealed NO Killdeer, and a check of Goddard Memorial Park had NO hawks (no surprise given the weather) and only (3) C. Yellowthroats; (2) E. Towhee; (1) Indigo Bunting; (10+) Chipping Sparrows, (4) Song Sparrows; (35+) A. Goldfinch. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/14/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights this morning : Red-tailed Hawk (2 - 1 immature and 1 adult); Carolina Wren (4); House Wren (5); NORTHERN PARULA (1); Yellow Warbler (3); BLACKPOLL WARBLER (1); AMERICAN REDSTART (5); Common Yellowthroat (6); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (5); BOBOLINK (2). (report from John Liller).

9/13/99 -- High Ridge WMA, Gardner

Birds from Smith Street at High Ridge WMA included: Nashville Warbler 3; N. Parula 1; Palm Warbler 1. Hawks migrating past the Wompanoag MAS in Gardner between 9am and 3Pm: Sharp Shinned hawk 12; Coopers hawk 2; AM. Kestrel 1; Broad Wing Hawk 45; Red-Tailed hawk 2; Osprey 7; N. Harrier 3; Turkey Vulture 1 appeared to be moving. Also 2 Ravens were at play ... calling , clucking and playing tag. a chimney swifts and a c. Nighthawk were on the move. On 9/11/99 at High Ridge I had 2 Lincoln's Sparrows. (report from Tom pirro).

9/12/99 -- Scar Hill Road, Boylston, Wachuset Reservoir

A walk down to the shore from the Scar Hill Road entrance to Wachuset Reservoir (Boylston) had the following: Common Loon (2ad+2imm); Double-Crested Cormorant (46); Canada Goose (18); Green-Winged Teal (1); A. Black Duck (4); Mallard (3); N. Goshawk (1); Killdeer (8); Greater Yellowlegs (4); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (3). Monarch (20+). If you are searching for shorebirds, the shore OPPOSITE Scar Hill Road looks very good and Fran McMenemey has reported shorebirds from there. We got the yellowlegs by scoping across the water to there at some distance. The trail is off Rt. 110, opposite Shanghai Jack's. Fran said it takes about a 45 minutes leisurely walk to get to the water.

Later at WORCESTER AIRPORT: Red-Tailed Hawk (1); A. Kestrel (3); E. Phoebe (1); plus excellent movements of: Cabbage White (74); Clouded Sulphurs (100); Orange Sulphurs (78) and Monarchs (13). We also had a Viceroy and a Leonard's Skipper. (report from Mark Lynch and Sheila Carroll).

9/12/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

Highlights from John Liller's Beginning Birding Class at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary this morning: Red-tailed Hawk (2 - 1 immature and 1 adult); Chimney Swift (1); Red-bellied Woodpecker (1); Red-eyed Vireo (4); RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (1); BROWN CREEPER (1); Carolina Wren (3); House Wren (1); Cedar Waxwing (40); NORTHERN PARULA (1); Yellow Warbler (1); Chestnut-sided Warbler (1); Prairie Warbler (1); Black-and-white Warbler (2); AMERICAN REDSTART (4); NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (1); Common Yellowthroat (5); WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (1); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (4); BOBOLINK (1); (report from John Liller).

9/11/99 -- Goddard Memorial Park, Worcester (AM)/Wachuset Reservoir (PM)

An hour and a half hawkwatching at Goddard Memorial Park, city of Worcester Airport Hill had the following: Canada Goose (9); Mallard (1); Turkey Vulture (7); Osprey (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (10); Cooper's Hawk (1 imm); Broad-Winged Hawk (4); Red-Tailed Hawk (4); A. Kestrel (3); Solitary Sandpiper (1 overhead); Ring-Billed Gull (14); C. Swift (1); House Wren (1); Cedar Waxwing (12); Nashville Warbler (1); Yellow Warbler (1); Blackpoll Warbler (7+ see below); CONNECTICUT WARBLER (1 imm); E. Towhee (3); Chipping Sparrow (10+); Purple Finch (1); A. Goldfinch (30+). A poor day, but the sky conditions were poor: clear sky and moderate winds. Many of the raptors were quite low, even below the hill and seemed to fly just at tree-top level. This was particulalry true of the Sharpies.. There were many (40+) warblers heard and seen migrating low over the hill. I could ID an additional 7 as Blackpolls, and from what I could hear, many of the others may have been Blackpolls too. The other species of warblers were in the small but dense weedy area right in front of the hawkwatch spot.

In the afternoon, several of us went to Wachuset Reservoir. We entered from the end of the dead end road in Clinton next to the motel on Rt.110. There were several good islands/ sandbars present. We had the following: Common Loon (3); Double-Crested Cormorant (56); Great Blue Heron (4); Canada Goose (30+: most flushed off the reservoir and onto the high school playing field); Green-Winged Teal (1); Turkey Vulture (9: several perched on one bar by Cemetary Island obviously feasting on something); Black-Bellied Plover (1); A. Golden Plover (3); Killdeer (12); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Pectoral Sandpiper (4); White-Rumped Sandpiper (1); Buff-Breasted Sandpiper (a bird flushed by the gull patrol guns appeared to be this species: see below); Belted Kingfisher (1); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (3). We originally went to this spot at about 1:30 PM, but the lighting was very tough. We returned at about 5:30 PM and the lighting was much better. Be forewarned that the birds are at some distance from the shore and you need a decent scope.

Also be forewarned that the gull-flushing program is once again in full swing. This consists of a couple of guys in a power boat pulling up to different points and firing off a gun, but not at the birds. On one island they actually landed and walked a bit. This flushes the birds off but they seem to merely alight further south down the reservoir. Then the MDC guys follow them to the next area and the gulls/shorebirds fly either even further south or some return to the original location. This procedure can be happening at any time of the day. The shooters only go about half way south on the reservoir, about to Greenhalge Point, so it may be productive to check South Bay. One sliver of silver lining to this was that it was a bit nice to see some of the species in flight. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/7/99 -- Wachusett Resrvoir lowered

Fran McMenemy reports that the Wachuset Reservoir level has been lowered by several feet and will be lowered even more. THIS MEANS: excellent edge habitat for migrant shorebirds, particularly things that are uncommon inland: Buff-Breasted Sandpiper, Am. Golden and Black-Bellied Plover and perhaps even a Sanderling. People should check this out as often as possible in the next few weeks. If you don't know already: they have lowered Lake Ripple in Grafton and there have been good shorebirds there (enter from High School side, lower parking lot) and even Worcester City Kettle Brook Reservoir #3 (which is right on the road in Paxton) had good shorebirds yesterday. For those of you on Massbird and reading all the Great Meadows reports, well......this could be happening here if we all go out and check. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/5/99 -- Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester

Patti Steinman and Dan Furbish checked the progress of the Common Nighthawk show, recording 47 Common Nighthawks, 1 Ruby throated Humminbird and 1 semi leucistic Red Tailed Hawk. (report from Dan Furbish).

9/5/99 -- Various locations, Worcester and vicinity

WORCESTER AIRPORT: Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1); Wild Turkey (5); E. Phoebe (1); Cedar Waxwing (15+).

KETTLE BROOK RESERVOIR #3, PAXTON: Great Blue Heron (2); Mallard (8); Hooded Merganser (6 imm.); Killdeer (12); Solitary Sandpiper (5); Spotted Sandpiper (6); Least Sandpiper (4); E. Wood Peewee (2); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (8+); Brown Creeper (1 singing); Red-Eyed Vireo (1); Black-Throated Green W. (4); Pine W. (20+); A. Redstart (4).

QUINAPAUXET RESRVOIR, HOLDEN: Very poor showing: Double-Cretsed Cormorant (3); GREAT EGRET (1: flew in from the direction of Wachuset Meadows just before 9:00): Great Blue Heron (1); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1ad+1imm); Cooper's Hawk (1 imm. battling a large contingent of crows); A. Kestrel (1f); Wild Turkey (13); Killdeer (10); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Greater Yellowlegs (6); Least Sandpiper (1); Chimney Swift (7 migrating); Belted Kingfisher (2); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (2); Tree Swallow (2); Barn Swallow (3); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (2); Brown Creeper (1); Pine Warbler (15); Bobolink (5 overhead).

GODDARD MEMORIAL PARK, CITY OF WORCESTER: Turkey Vulture (3); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); Broad Winged Hawk (2: 1 was migrating high overhead. It suddenly folded its wings , dropped out of the sky and dove right in front of us to the tops of the trees 30 feet away just below eye level, perhaps at the perched waxwings); A. Kestrel (2); Chimney Swift (8 migrating); Tree Swallow (4 migrating); House Wren (1); Cedar Waxwing (12); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (1).

LAKE RIPPLE, GRAFTON (PM): Great Blue Heron (3); Mute Swan (2); Canada Goose (8); Mallard (11); Merlin (1); Killdeer (18); Solitary sandpiper (6); Spotted Sandpiper (1); Greater Yellowlegs (2); Lesser Yellowlegs (3); Semipalmated Sandpiper (8); Least Sandpiper (45). NOTE: Earlier, Fran McMenemy had a female N. Shoveler. Lake Ripple's water level is being lowered. The birds are best viewed from the high school side, where there is an obvious break in the trees and a path across from the first parking area on the left, before you get to the school buildings proper. All of the calidrids were in juvenile or juvenile moulting into first winter plumage. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/5/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary

I recorded the following highlights with my Beginning Birding Class at Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (Worcester) this morning (9/5/99): Turkey Vulture (2); Carolina Wren (1); House Wren (3); EASTERN BLUEBIRD (4); Cedar Waxwing (46); NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH (1); Common Yellowthroat (11); Rose-breasted Grosbeak (2); BOBOLINK (2). Also these butterflies: Cabbage White (16); Monarch (2); Viceroy (1); Orange Sulphur (3); Common Wood Nymph (1). (report from John Liller).

9/4/99 -- City of Worcester POND SURVEY

A survey of ponds in and contiguous with the city of Worcester Saturday had the following totals: Pied-Billed Grebe (4); Double-Crested Cormorant (12); Great Blue Heron (16); Green Heron (16); Black-Crowned Night Heron (2adults+5 imm); Mute Swan (1ad+(pair w/ 1young)+(1ad w/4 young) Where the other adult with the other young from that last group I do not know); Canada Goose (303); [reporter's note: The wanton duck feeding going on at Elm Park has attracted a large group of geese there permanently, ruining the grass completely and turning that end of the pond into e.coli soup. I know duck feeding is popular, but it needs to stop.] Wood Duck (73); Green-Winged Teal (10). WIGEON: (1f that appeared to be of the reddish ssp of the Eurasian Wigeon. BUT before we get all excited, this was at Greenhill Park, and they keep wigeons in the tiny enclosed duck puddle there with the Wood Ducks, Mallards and Canada Geese. Even though when I checked the enclosure all I saw was (3) female-type American Wigeon.);

(Note added 9/6/99:) Fran McMenemy called me Sunday to say that he checked at Greenhill Park that day and a person that worked the small "zoo" informed him that recently they indeed had acquired a female EURASIAN WIGEON for the small collection. It was not until the duck was put in the pond, that he was informed by the person they got the duck from that the wigeon's wings were NOT pinioned. So, the duck flies out to the real pond freely with the Mallards (who are apparently only feral) and returns to the small duck enclosure with them. When I noticed the bird on the city waterfowl count on 9/4 (see below) it was during just such a time. When Fran was there, it had returned to the duck enclosure. The other (3) female American Wigeons and Wood Duck ARE pinioned. Not only does this mean that a Eurasian Wigeon seen at Greenhill Park is obviously NOT countable, birders should be wary of any female Eurasian Wigeon seen anywhere in the city and adjacent area, since this bird can fly freely and there are no plans to pinion it. Watch for this bird to show up in Lake Quinsigamond during the winter like the escaped Mandarin Ducks from the same area.

A. Black Duck (21); Mallard (996); Blue-Winged Teal (1); Killdeer (46); Solitary Sandpiper (3); Spotted Sandpiper (2); Least Sandpiper (3); Ring-Billed Gull (90); Herring Gull (1 1st W); Belted Kingfisher (5)

OTHER BIRDS: Turkey Vulture (1); Red-Tailed Hawk (2); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (1); N. Flicker (12); E. Wood Peewee (1); E. Phoebe (2: NOTE: no kingbirds); Barn Swallow (1: swallows are getting scarce now inland); Red-Breasted Nuthatch (6: a small movement appears to be happening); Carolina Wren (3); House Wren (2); Wood Thrush (2); Gray Catbird (31); Warbling Vireo (12: all singing!); Yellow Warbler (3); Blackpoll Warbler (3); A. Redstart (1); N. Waterthrush (3); C. Yellowthroat (5); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (3); Baltimore Oriole (1). At Biotech Pond we talked with a nice woman who lived across the street interested in the birds of the pond. She informed us that her land-lady told here that the owners of the property were trying to prove that it wasn't really a pond so they could develop it. If true: What greedy idiocy! (report from Mark Lynch).

9/3/99 -- Parker's pond, Gardner

Before work this AM were 17 least Sandpipers , 1 Spotted and 30 Killdeer. (report from Tom Pirro)

9/2/99 -- Smith St, Gardner

During early evening, the following were noteable: Green Wing teal 1; R.T. Hummingbird 1 female type; C. Nighthawk 9; R.Br. Nuthatch 2 1 was flycatching; E. Phoebe 6; R.E. Vireo 3; Blackpoll Warbler 2; Nashville Warbler 1; Yellow Rumped Warbler 1; Swamp Sparrow 3; Scalet Tanager 3; Purple Finch 4. 1 of the RB Nuts was sallying for insects from the tree tops , and was quite sucessfull catching insects in this fashion. (report from Tom Pirro)

9/1/99 -- Institute Park, Worcester

A noontime walk yielded 19 species, including 1 adult Black-crowned Night Heron, 2 sub-adult Wood Ducks, 1 Common Nighthawk, and 1 Belted Kingfisher. (report from Rick Quimby).

9/1/99 -- Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary, Worcester

A morning (6:30-10;30) one way walk through the MAS sanctuary at Broad Meadow Brook (city of Worcester) had the following highlights: Osprey (1 overhead); Sharp-Shinned Hawk (1 ad. hunting); Chimney Swift (1 migrating south); Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (1 f-type heading north along the power lines); Red-Bellied Woodpecker (2); Hairy Woodpecker (3); RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH (2: this plus sighitngs in my immediate neighborhood indicate a small movement happening); White-Breasted Nuthatch (12); House Wren (9); E. Bluebird (7); Veery (2); Wood Thrush (1); A. Robin (109: several flocks of immatures feeding on fruiting trees and grapes); Gray Catbird (74); Brown Thrasher (3); Cedar Waxwing (7); Warbling Vireo (4: including 2 frantically chasing a third, chipping loudly. Young chasing parent?); PHILADELPHIA VIREO (1 seen well); Blue-Winged Warbler (1); Yellow-Rumped Warbler (1); Black and White Warbler (1); A. Redstart (1m); Northern Waterthrush (1); C. Yellowthroat (19); Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (11); Indigo Bunting (1); White-Throated Sparrow (1); Bobolink (group of 7 immatures feeding in Goldenrod along the Stretch); Baltimore Oriole (4). All the "gone-passed" Joe-Pye Weed and the Ruby Meadowflys (some Green Darners) and the chilly start really spelled: FALL. (report from Mark Lynch).

9/1/99 -- Gardner area

A roadside stop before work this morning yielded the following hilites mostly in one mixed flock of song birds: R-B Nuthatch 4; RT Hummingbird 1 female type; B+W Warbler 1; Y. Rumped Warbler 5-10; Am. Redstart 5; Blackpoll Warbler 1 maybe 2; C. Yellowthroat 2; Ovenbird 1 gave a partial song .. more like the flight song; Blk-Thr Blue Warbler 1 adult male; Blachburian Warb. 1; Scarlet tanager 1. (report from Tom Pirro).

For previous sightings, see August 1999 Archives or Archive Index